Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) was a late inactive for the team's Week 17 Christmas loss to the Cowboys, clearing the path for rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt to put up 105 yards and two scores on the ground. With roster crunches ratcheting up during the fantasy playoffs, there's a real chance that Rodriguez may be available on some waiver wires this week, making him a must-add in any league with a Week 18 championship game. While Croskey-Merritt has looked brilliant at times this year, Washington has repeatedly shown that, when healthy, they prefer Rodriguez to handle the majority of their groundwork. Rodriguez has cracked double-digit points in Half-PPR formats in three of his last six games played, and should slot in as a low-end RB2/flex in a plus matchup with the Eagles in Week 18.
Dec 29, 2025 3:00 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) will not be available for the team's divisional clash with the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 26-year-old was a late addition to Washington's injury report, as he came down with an illness early on Thursday. Despite initially garnering a questionable tag, he'll now miss his second game in three weeks. With Rodriguez inactive, backfield mates Jeremy McNichols and Jacory Croskey-Merritt will each see a significant uptick in work. Notably, in the last game sans Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt barely eked out McNichols in snaps (32-30). However, he handily out-touched the latter 18-10. With that in mind, McNichols appeared to be the preferred passing-down back, so game script may determine who sees more work against the visiting Cowboys.
Dec 25, 2025 11:51 AM EST
According to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) was added to the injury report and is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Dallas Cowboys. The 25-year-old missed their Week 15 contest due to a groin injury but quickly reclaimed the starting role last weekend, taking 15 carries for 63 yards and a score during their loss to the Eagles. Over his last four games, Rodriguez has logged at least 10 carries in each game and averaged a solid 9.7 PPR points, operating as the preferred option in the backfield. Managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to kickoff in case Rodriguez faces a setback and is unable to play. If he is ruled out, managers should view seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a viable FLEX play in deeper formats, facing a Dallas defense that is allowing the seventh-most PPR points to opposing running backs.
Dec 25, 2025 9:45 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. returned from injury in Week 16, taking 15 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown in the 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Although there was concern that rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt would be more of a factor after his big Week 15 outing, Rodriguez returned to his usual workload. He played a season-high 56% of the snaps, while Croskey-Merritt played 22% and Jeremy McNichols played 24%. He faces the Dallas Cowboys, who may be without star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The Cowboys ranked as the worst run defense in the NFL before they acquired Williams at the deadline, and with him out last week, Omarion Hampton had 95 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. While there are concerns about the Commanders' quarterback situation this week, look for them to run it a ton against this Cowboys defense, where Rodriguez could be a league-winner in Week 17.
Dec 24, 2025 10:34 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been productive since taking on a bigger workload in Week 9. The third-year back has totalled 69 carries for 316 yards and four touchdowns while adding two catches (three targets) for 12 yards as a receiver. Rodriguez has been the head of a three-man committee in Washington's backfield, playing 43.1% of the snaps, with rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt (31.7%) staying involved on early downs and Jeremy McNichols (33.3%) handling passing-down duties. Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt both found the end zone last week against the Eagles, but the Commanders' offense could be starting Josh Johnson at QB on Thursday against the Cowboys, with Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) injured and uncertain to play. That downgrades the status of all Washington players in fantasy. Facing a Dallas defense that is allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game since acquiring Quinnen Williams, Rodriguez profiles as a low-upside flex option in Week 17.
Dec 24, 2025 8:44 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. seems to have secured the top spot in the backfield coming down the stretch, and he should be fantasy relevant in the closing weeks of the season. He makes a solid waiver wire add if you need a running back after picking up 63 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries on Saturday against the Eagles, and adding a six-yard catch as well. He played 28 snaps (52%) this week, compared to just 15 snaps (28%) for Jeremy McNichols and 11 snaps for Jacory Croskey-Merritt (20%). Rodriguez and the Commanders face the Cowboys on Christmas Day after a short week, and he'll have touchdown-dependent flex upside in a favorable matchup against Dallas this coming week.
Dec 22, 2025 9:14 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) has been cleared from the injury report and is good to go for Saturday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Rodriguez was a game-time decision for last week's contest against the New York Giants and was ultimately ruled out due to a groin injury. It looks like it will only be a one-game absence for the third-year running back, as he was back as a full participant every day in practice this week. The Kentucky product has found the end zone in three of the past five games since taking over as Washington's primary early down back, totalling 54 carries for 253 yards and one reception (two targets) for six yards. He should return to his standard 10-15 carries in a favorable matchup on Saturday against an Eagles' defense that is allowing 4.8 yards per carry over the past four weeks, ranking sixth-worst in the league. However, after rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt's big game in Week 15, the Commanders could be looking at more of a split backfield.
Dec 19, 2025 12:01 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) was a full participant in practice this week and doesn't have an injury designation heading into Saturday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Rodriguez missed last week against the Giants' 31st-ranked run defense and saw rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt record his best day on the ground since his breakout performance in Week 5. The third-year back still has a favorable matchup in Week 16 against an Eagles defense that has allowed 4.5 yards per carry and the 11th-most PPR points to running backs. The Kentucky product had recorded double-digit carries in each of the past five games, with him leaving early due to injury in Week 10 being the only exception, but it remains to be seen if Croskey-Merritt worked his way back into a more prominent role after his performance last week. Rodriguez is a consistent threat to find the end zone, but he doesn't have the highest ceiling in a split backfield and is a non-factor in the passing game. He's tough to trust as anything more than a low-end RB3/flex option for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
Dec 18, 2025 5:46 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) was able to practice in full all week and has been cleared to play in the Week 16 divisional game this Saturday versus the Philadelphia Eagles, according to the team. Rodriguez was a surprise inactive for last week's win over the New York Giants due to a groin injury. With the 25-year-old out last Sunday, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt saw a season-high 18 rushing attempts for 96 yards and a touchdown. Before C-Rod's injury, he had taken over lead-back duties in Washington and had double-digit carries in four of the last five games. However, after JCR's impressive performance in Week 15, it's possible the two could split backfield touches more evenly in a tough matchup against the Eagles' defense. With a potential timeshare in Week 16, Rodriguez loses a lot of fantasy value and will be more of a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Dec 18, 2025 5:21 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (hip) was a full participant in both Tuesday's and Wednesday's practice sessions and is expected to return in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Rodriguez missed Week 15's game against the New York Giants with a hip injury but was reportedly close to playing last week. Even if the third-year back is fully healthy entering Week 16, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a big game on the ground in Week 15 and may have cut into Rodriguez's workload. Rodriguez has played only 30% of the snaps this season, and with Washington's offensive struggles with quarterback Jayden Daniels, it's hard to trust any back on this team. Assuming he's good to go for their divisional showdown against the Eagles, Rodriguez offers low-end FLEX value in Week 16.
Dec 18, 2025 10:23 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) was a full participant in practice on Tuesday. Rodriguez was limited twice in practice last week before being ruled out for Sunday's win over the New York Giants. He appears to be trending in the right direction with a full session to begin Week 16 preparation. In his absence on Sunday, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries during Sunday's victory. The return of Rodriguez would likely reduce Croskey-Merritt's role for the upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday. If healthy, Rodriguez should offer low-end flex appeal in deep leagues this weekend in a bad matchup.
Dec 16, 2025 7:07 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) was a late scratch before his team's Week 15 win over the New York Giants due to a groin injury. In his absence, Commanders back Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the way with 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown. However, Rodriguez Jr. had emerged as the lead rusher in Washington before getting hurt. Across three games leading into Week 15, the 25-year-old racked up 172 rushing yards and a touchdown on 36 carries. Croskey-Merritt's stellar performance against the Giants may lead to more of a split backfield in Washington going forward. Still, in fantasy leagues where Rodriguez Jr. is available on the waiver wire, he should be targeted heading into his team's Week 16 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dec 15, 2025 10:42 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) is inactive for Sunday's Week 15 contest against the New York Giants. He had been listed as questionable and was believed to be a true game-time decision. After Rodriguez tested his injury in pregame workouts, the team decided he wasn't healthy enough to suit up. The 26-year-old had been leading Washington's backfield lately with 37 touches and 4.8 yards per carry over his last three games. Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols should split touches in his absence, with McNichols likely getting more involved on passing downs. Neither back is a surefire top-36 fantasy option for Week 15, despite a favorable matchup against New York's bottom-tier run defense.
Dec 14, 2025 11:38 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's Week 15 contest against the New York Giants. Rodriguez is listed as questionable after logging back-to-back limited practices. The 26-year-old has taken on a much larger role lately, amassing 37 touches over his last three games. During that span, he's averaging an impressive 4.8 yards per carry and has also scored a touchdown. If Rodriguez is active, he'll rank as a low-end RB2 against a Giants defense that has allowed the second-most rushing yards and second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2025. However, if he doesn't suit up, the Commanders would give increased snaps to Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols out of the backfield.
Dec 14, 2025 8:01 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional game against the New York Giants. Rodriguez was a non-participant on Wednesday, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. The third-year running back has operated as Washington's lead back in recent weeks, handling double-digit carries in four of the past games. He exited early with a shoulder injury during the first half of the Week 10 game against the Lions after recording six carries for 16 yards and a touchdown. Rodriguez has totaled 54 carries for 253 yards with three rushing scores since then. He'll profile as a solid flex option in a favorable Week 15 matchup against the Giants if he's active, while rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols would handle the work if Rodriguez is unable to go.
Dec 12, 2025 4:40 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) was able to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday after being held out on Wednesday due to a groin injury. While Rodriguez Jr.'s status for the team's Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants is still in question, his ability to practice on Thursday is obviously a positive sign. Across 11 games this season, the 25-year-old has recorded 81 carries for 372 yards and four touchdowns. Rodriguez Jr. appears to be emerging as the lead back in Washington, as he's earned double-digit carries in four out of his last five outings. If he's sidelined against the Giants, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols would likely handle the majority of the team's backfield snaps. If active, Rodriguez Jr. profiles as a low-end fantasy RB2/high-end flex option for fantasy managers in Week 15.
Dec 11, 2025 4:34 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) has maintained a role within his team's backfield that makes him a rosterable fantasy player as Washington prepares to take on a shaky New York Giants defense in Week 15. Though the season is all but finished for Washington, Rodriguez has drawn double-digit carries four times in the past five weeks, which includes three rushing touchdowns and a pair of top-30 finishes among PPR running backs despite his lack of involvement in the passing game. Rodriguez didn't practice on Wednesday, but with quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) out again, the Commanders could look toward the backfield against a Giants defense that ranks 31st against fantasy running backs. The third-year back has been touchdown-dependent, but if he's able to play, he's getting enough action to consider him in favorable matchups, particularly in leagues with more than one flex spot.
Dec 11, 2025 9:29 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) was unable to practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. This is a notable one, since Rodriguez has taken over as the team's lead back in the last five games with rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt struggling. The 25-year-old has played over 40% of the snaps in the last three games and has seen double-digit carries in four of the last five contests. In the last five games, C-Rod has 55 touches for 259 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. If Rodriguez cannot return to practice this week and is out for a divisional matchup on Sunday against the New York Giants, Croskey-Merritt and pass-catching back Jeremy McNichols would both see increased playing time in D.C. It's a situation worth watching closely for fantasy managers.
Dec 10, 2025 5:47 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries in the Commanders' 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. He was the only somewhat bright spot in what was a really tough afternoon for the Commanders team. Rodriguez has performed well of late, scoring nine or more fantasy points in three of his last five games, but has limited upside because he is not earning any of the running back receiving work, is touchdown dependent, and projects for 10-15 carries depending on game flow. In Week 14, the Commanders fell behind early to the Vikings, and he never really got much of a chance later in the game. Week 15 presents a good opportunity for Rodriguez, as the Commanders travel to New York to take on the Giants, who allow the second-most points to opposing running backs on the season. Due to his projected volume and limited receiving floor, Rodriguez will be an RB3 heading into Week 15, and should not be on the waiver wire in most 12 or more team formats.
Dec 8, 2025 10:02 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has taken over the RB1 duties in Washington. Despite the preseason hype that surrounded seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rodriguez has been the RB1 as of late, totaling 201 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his last four games. Rodriguez played 44% of the snaps in their past two games, with receiving back Jeremy McNichols playing 35%, while Croskey-Merritt played just 20%. With the return of Jayden Daniels imminent, the Commanders' offense could be explosive down the stretch, which means good things are coming for the third-year back from Kentucky. In 2024, Daniels led the Commanders to the fifth-ranked scoring offense and an NFC Championship appearance. If Daniels returns, Rodriguez should have more scoring opportunities and can make an impact in the fantasy playoffs.
Dec 3, 2025 10:50 AM EST
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